Page 114 of Heir of Broken Souls

Scrambling up in bed, my heart leaps out of its confines as Knox slumps backwards. I grab him by the shoulders, my fingers gently rubbing back and forth along his smooth skin.

It’s just someone communicating in his mind, but I’ll never get used to this, the lack of utter presence in his gaze. It’s the most terrifying sight. Because it looks exactly like it did in my vision when the demonic dragon tore his head off his shoulders.

I clear the awful memory away just as he comes to. I heave a sigh of relief.

But it doesn’t last long.

Knox’s brows are furrowed.

“What is it? Is it Nolan? Is he all right?”

He shakes his head slowly. “He’s all right, it’s—” Knox stops abruptly, running a shaky hand through his hair.

He’s suddenly pale.

“Knox, you’re frightening me. What is it?”

“It’s the courts.” He swallows thickly. “Eden was almost overthrown today. The queen has decided to evacuate all the courts and move everyone inside her personal estate, near the docks of the Air Court.” His face falls. “Even the witches have fled. They’re taking up residence on the warrior island.”

I frown, a little bewildered. “That’s good news, isn’t it? You said theyalmostoverthrew Eden but they didn’t. It’s better for everyone to be safe, is it not?”

He doesn’t respond.

Leaning forward, I lay my palm on his chest. “Knox, please explain what’s going on. You sent your own people to her court, so there must be a part of you that trusts her to keep everyone safe.”

His mouth opens and closes, struggling to get the words out. It looks like he has to force it out as he says, “It’s a precaution. They’re moving everyone in her estate so they can quickly flee. They’re…they’re planning to abandon Aloriah.”

* * *

Abandon Aloriah.

The two words that sent fire through my heart. The two words that reignited the rage that’s been consuming me since Ace’s death.

How foolish of me to forget what we’re up against.

How stupid and naïve of me to be lying in bed soaking up a moment of peace when our kind are out on the battlefields dying. As the people of Aloriah are being evacuated from their homes, being told to pack a bag and preparing to abandon the magical lands of Aloriah.

Shame on me.

And most importantly, shame on him.

My teeth snap shut so hard I’m surprised they haven’t cracked. That the grinding of my molars hasn’t filed the teeth down.

I’m burning with hatred. I have never wanted to throttle someone so much with my bare hands.

I hate him.

I despise him.

I wish he were dead.

My chest heaves as thought after thought pelts my mind.

Knox left soon after dropping that bombshell so he could inform the others. And I was left to pace, and pace, and pace.

Knox was upset, and rightfully so, his people are preparing to leave the lands he’s called home, to leave the magic that thrums through the core of Aloriah. And because of the emotional turmoil raging through his heart, he didn’t feel the rage that was bubbling in mine. What perfect timing to feel this before what is coming tomorrow.

My fists clench at my sides.